Benefits

Students in The Honors College are part of the intellectual hub of the
University. As active participants in a community of developing scholars
they can take advantage of academic and research opportunities from across UAlbany while being part of the small, select honors community.

Honors Courses

At the center of honors students' academic experience in their first two years are their honors courses. Honors courses are small, enroll only honors students, and are taught by some of UAlbany's best teaching professors. Students work hard and support each other in formal and informal study groups - a sense of mutual encouragement prevails over competition. As many honors professors have noted, "In my honors courses, all the students are there for every class, they have all done the reading, and they are eager to start our discussion." A list of future, current, and past honors courses is on our curriculum page.

Advanced registration. All honors students register for courses before other students at UAlbany - both their honors courses and their other courses. This gives honors students great latitude in designing an overall curriculum and a set of courses each semester that meets their academic goals.

Honors Housing

Some of the best on-campus housing is reserved for students in The Honors College. All honors students have the option of living in honors housing during each year at UAlbany. (Living in honors housing is not required or expected any year, but honors housing is available every year.)

During their first and second years, honors students can choose to live in adjoining residence halls on State Quad, Steinmetz and Melville. Both halls have been renovated recently and offer many areas for studying and socializing, as well as all-suite living. During their third and fourth years, honors students can choose to live in honors buildings in Empire Commons. Each building in Empire Commons contains several townhouses, each of which have single rooms, kitchens, and living rooms. (Honors housing options are based on a student's year at UAlbany, not on class standing (which is determined by credits completed)).

Honors residence halls generally are quieter than other residence halls and provide an environment that is more conducive for group and individual study. They also provide an atmosphere where honors students can get to know, and often become good friends with, other honors students.

Since honors students take many of the same courses, it is easy for informal and formal study groups to form in the honors residence halls.

Many evening and weekend honors activities take place in the honors residence halls.

What's great about Honors Housing is the fact that I know my classmates are so close by. It's comforting to know that the people in my classes are right down the hall or only a flight of stairs down from me. When big projects approach, or tests are near, there are many people that I can go to for help because they're all right here living with me! Amanda Boyd Class of 2010

By living in the honors housing part of the dorms, I find that it is much easier to concentrate and to become motivated. Furthermore, you can all relate to each other because you have similar classes and responsibilities. Allyson Impallomeni Class of 2011

Commuting Students

Commuting first- and second-year honors students have an
on-campus home in Steinmetz and Melville Halls. Commuting honors
students can gain access to Steinmetz and Melville Halls where most of
the other honors students live. There are lounge areas, study areas,
and lockers available to commuting students - and they can meet students
from their honors courses.

Honors Recognition

Honors students are recognized for their accomplishments with
a special designation on their transcript. This notifies potential
employers and graduate schools that they have completed a rigorous and
demanding undergraduate program.

Scholarship Opportunities

Sam Hyland, an honors student, on a recent community-service trip to Ecuador.

Professors and staff members in The Honors College work with honors students to strengthen their profiles as candidates for some of the nation's most prestigious awards, including the Rhodes, Marshall, and Truman scholarships. Honors students are eligible for funds from the Losee Scholarship Fund that provides funding for academic activities outside the classroom, such as attending professional conferences and studying abroad.